1. Print off the questions below for Cracking the Code of Life or type the answers as you watch the video.
2. Click on the URL for NOVA listed below (or cut and paste into the address line)
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/program_adv.html
3. Click on the video to watch the program.
6. There are several presentations to Cracking the Code of Life.
Watch sections 1 through 6 up until “Genetic Variation”. If the video does not show properly, try using a different browser or another computer.
7. Answer the questions below: (the questions are in sequence)
8. Complete the “Wrap up study” questions at the end.
Section 1: Instructions for a Human Being
1. How would you describe the appearance of DNA taken from the test tube?
2. How different are we from a banana?
3. How long is the human genome?
4. What will being able to sequence the human genome tell us?
Section 2: Getting the Letters Out
1. How did the announcer describe the DNA molecule?
2. How genetically the same are any two babies?
3. How many nucleotides make up the human genome?
4. The date for launching the human genome project was ________.
5. How long did it take to find the gene sequence for cystic fibrosis?
6. What percentage of the DNA nucleotides is active and important?
7. What helped speed up the sequencing project? How fast did it speed up the sequencing?
8. The DNA sequence was described by Eric Lander as being akin to a _________ __________.
9. Why is it important to know the human genome sequence (all parts, every letter)?
Section 3: One Wrong Letter
1. Example of a genetic disorder:
The name of the disorder is _________________
The cause of the disorder:
What happens because of that change?
What is the eventual outcome of the disorder?
The disorder is inherited by
What population of people carries this gene?
2. What can be done if you know all the base pairs making up the human?
Section 4: Sequencing Race Begins
1. Government scientists through it would take how long to sequence the human genome?
2. How is DNA code read?
3. Describe the person who set up a private enterprise to sequence the human genome.
4. Name the company that he started. What does the name mean?
5. Briefly describe the process utilized.
6. In 1998, how long did Venter think the project would take?
Section 5: Ramping Up
1. Name the two main labs and who was in charge of the projects.
2. How many different labs were working on the project at that time? Name a few.
3. List a few of the problems they faced with the project.
4. What date did the labs have 1/3 of the human genome sequenced?
Section 6: Genetic Variation
1. Whose genes were actually sequenced?
2. How different are any 2 humans?
3. Which kinds of animals are most different from each other – humans or chimpanzees?
4. Why are we as humans more closely related genetically than chimpanzees?
5. The human genome evolved from this continent __________.
6 Explain why the difference between us and the banana genome are only 50% different.
7. Compare the human genome to the yeast genome.
Wrap-up study:
Go to the following website:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22266/
At the new page titled Genes and Diseases Chromosome Map, click on one of the 24 chromosomes shown in the image at the top of the page or on the menu list on the right.
Answer the following questions about that chromosome:
1. How many genes does it contain?
2. How many base pairs is it made of?
3. Name one disease associated with this chromosome.
4. Click on and briefly give the characteristics of this genetic disorder.
If all else fails and the URL at the top of the Wrap-up study does not get you where you need to be, try the following:
Alternative 1: access the website by using a search engine
1. Search for “ncbi genes and diseases” and select the appropriate link.
2. You should see a page with a book titled “Genes and Diseases”
3. Scroll down through the contents and select “Chromosome Map”
4. Select a chromosome and answer the questions from above.
Alternative 2: use a different website
1. Select the web site below: https://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chromosome/
2. At the top you will see an image titled “Gene Gateway” listing the human chromosomes. Select one and you will be taken to another page with an image of that chromosome.
3. Scroll over the image and you will see detailed information.
4. Answer the questions from above. Note: For this website, you will have to independently research the disease you choose.
